So I called quadratec about these before I started carving them up because I know they wouldn't take them back if I did and they said they would send me another set. I just got them and they are different than the others. These are hard rubber the others are soft foam and these are threaded all the way down the stud and the stud doesn't get bigger around towards the base. Im willing to bet the new ones will screw right in.

I just fixed mine yesterday. Carved the tailgate a lil bit using a flathead. I used wd40 and carefully pushed in the rubber piece. You have to be patient and try to push in the pieces. It's tough but doable.